2011 NFC Wild-Card Match-ups and Predictions

It seems like just yesterday that the NFL season began, as 18 weeks have gone by in the blink of an eye. In the aftermath of it all, only 12 teams are left standing to continue their quest to Super Bowl glory.

In the NFC, one of the match-ups is going to be one of the best games in the entire playoffs, while the other is an outright travesty, both to those that missed the playoffs and one of the teams in the game.

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks

Saturday, January 8, 2011 - 4:30pm - NBC

It is absolutely disgusting as a fan to watch a team with a 7-9 record not only make the postseason, but to also be hosting a playoff game in front of their home fans. Yes, the Seahawks get in on the technicality of a division championship, but there is no excuse for having a team with a losing record receive a shot at a Super Bowl while the Giants and Buccaneers sit at home with a 10-6 record.

For Seattle to win, they are going to have to come out and shock the world on Saturday. They ranked just 27^th in total defense and 28^th in total offense, so they aren't fooling anybody at all. Offensively, they are going to need Matt Hasselbeck healthy and controlling the ball. The best path they can choose to play would be to grind out the game and keep the ball out of Drew Brees' hands, but seeing as they ranked 31^st in rushing offense that may be difficult.

Defensively, the Seahawks wills look to play to their strong suit, which is pressuring the quarterback. They ranks 13^th in the NFL in sacks and will rely on that to keep Drew Brees unbalanced. Otherwise, it looks like it is going to be a long afternoon in Seattle for the Seahawks.

New Orleans on the other hand, may have lost out on winning the division title, but they got the next closest thing to a bye week. Offensively, it is likely to be the Drew Brees show, and he'll spread the love around. Having a healthy Reggie Bush in the back field opens up even more possibilities for the defending World Champs.

Defensively, the Saints will need to have a better showing than they did in their finally against Tampa Bay. They field the 4^th best team in the NFL as far as total defense is concerned and won't be challenged by an offensively inept Seahawks team. Still, New Orleans will use this game a tune-up for their next opponent.

Prediction: Saints 45 -Seahawks 10

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday January 9, 2011 - 4:30pm - CBS

Two of the best teams in the NFL? Check. Two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL? Check. The most exciting first round game of the playoffs? Check!

The Eagles and Packers may have reached the postseason under different circumstances, but when they lock horns on Sunday in Philadelphia, they'll both be locked in a ready to leave it on the field. The game will be a rematch of a week one game that saw the Packers hold on for a victory and also saw Michael Vick begin his MVP campaign.

For the Packers to win, the plan is simple: contain Vick. Defensively, there may not be a better team to do it, with the speed of linebackers Clay Matthews, AJ Hawk, and Desmond Bishop and the all-around smart play of cornerback Charles Woodson. The key will be avoiding getting too ambitious and flushing Vick to early. Still, they'll want to pressure him enough to help prevent the long-ball that Andy Reid has fallen in love with this season.

Offensively, the Pack will go as far as Aaron Rodgers carriers them. To do that, they'll need to do everything they can to improve their pass protection and keep him upright. Rodgers does a good job of creating his own passing lanes, but allowing him time to find Greg Jennings or Donald Driver down the field will work wonders. Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn will do their best to keep the Eagles blitz packages honest by pounding out short yardage bursts.

For the Eagles to win, they must protect Michael Vick against the best pass rush in the NFL. Clay Matthews may be one of the only beasts in the NFL capable of chasing Michael Vick down, and blindside blitzes by Charles Woodson will be tough to defend against. Draw plays to LeSean McCoy will keep the Packers honest enough to open up passing lanes for Vick. The key will be Vick being patient in the pocket and biding time for the downfield bomb attempts to DeSean Jackson.

Defensively, the Eagles need to blitz, blitz, and blitz some more. The Packers have had issues protecting Aaron Rodgers at times and a team like Philadelphia should be able to exploit that. Still, a healthy Asante Samuel is almost critical to containing the combo of Rodgers and Jennings.

Prediction: Eagles 17 - Packers 13

Sources:

- NFL Schedule: Playoffs, NFL.com

- NFL Standings, NFL.com

- NFL Team Stats, NFL.com